Sealed branch wellbore transition joint

Abstract

A sealed branch wellbore transition joint. A method of completing a well having intersecting wellbores includes the steps of: positioning a diverter in a wellbore; diverting an assembly from the wellbore into another wellbore; and swelling a sealing material on the assembly, so that a seal is formed between the assembly and the diverter. A completion system for a well having intersecting wellbores includes a diverter positioned in a wellbore, an assembly extending laterally across the wellbore, and a sealing material on the assembly. The sealing material is swollen so that a seal is formed between the assembly and the diverter.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of completing a well having first and second intersecting wellbores, the method comprising the steps of:
 positioning a diverter in the first wellbore; 
 diverting an assembly from the first wellbore into the second wellbore; and 
 swelling a sealing material on the assembly, so that a first seal is formed between the assembly and the diverter. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the swelling step further comprises increasing a volume of the sealing material. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the diverting step further comprises positioning the assembly at least partially in the first wellbore and at least partially in the second wellbore. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of expanding the assembly. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the expanding step is performed prior to the swelling step. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing fluid communication between an interior of the assembly and the first wellbore via an opening formed through a sidewall of the assembly. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the swelling step further comprises forming a second seal between the assembly and the first wellbore. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the swelling step further comprises forming a second seal between the assembly and a window from the first wellbore to the second wellbore. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of swelling a second seal between the diverter and the first wellbore. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the swelling step further comprises swelling the sealing material in response to exposing the sealing material to hydrocarbon fluid in the well. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the swelling step further comprises swelling the sealing material in response to exposing the sealing material to water in the well. 
     
     
       12. A completion system for a well having intersecting first and second wellbores, the system comprising:
 a diverter positioned in the first wellbore; 
 an assembly extending laterally across the first wellbore; and 
 a sealing material on the assembly, the sealing material being swollen so that a first seal is formed between the assembly and the diverter. 
 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 12 , wherein the sealing material is swollen by increasing a volume of the sealing material. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 12 , wherein the assembly is positioned at least partially in the first wellbore and at least partially in the second wellbore. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 12 , wherein the assembly is expanded radially outward in the well. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 12 , wherein an opening provides fluid communication between an interior of the assembly and the first wellbore through a sidewall of the assembly. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a second seal formed by the swollen sealing material between the assembly and the first wellbore. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a second seal formed by the swollen sealing material between the assembly and a window from the first wellbore to the second wellbore. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a second seal formed by the swollen sealing material between the diverter and the first wellbore. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 12 , wherein the sealing material is swollen in response to exposing the sealing material to at least one of hydrocarbon fluid and water in the well.